Lakota Students Can Earn Free College Credit Ohio Launches New College Credit Plus

Lakota Students Can Earn Free College Credit Through New Program

Lakota is offering the new College Credit Plus (CCP) as another option for students in grades 7-12 to earn college and high school credits at the same time. The courses are offered through agreements with local public universities with the CCP option being free for students. Students may take courses during fall, spring and summer term. Lakota high school graduation requirements are not waived but may be met through CCP courses.

Under the program, students can complete a year of college or more, thus reducing their time and expenses. Because it’s transcripted college credit, it will transfer to any Ohio public institution of higher learning.
Lakota has partnered with several local colleges and universities, including Cincinnati State Technical and Community College; Sinclair Community College; Miami University, both main and regional campuses; and the University of Cincinnati, both main and regional campuses.

There are several steps to participate in the program:
• Submit an “intent to participate” form no later than April 1, 2016. The form must be signed by both the student and parent.
• Contact selected college for information, application forms and criteria for acceptance into their CCP program. Students must go through the procedures established by the college for admission.
• Submit to the college transcript and ACT, Sat or Compass scores. Check with the college for required placement tests; schedule and take placement tests as necessary.
• Upon receiving an acceptance letter, register for classes with the college.
• Provide a copy of the schedule to the high school counselor.
• Remember, it is the responsibility of the student and parents to meet all college applications and registration deadlines.

The 2016-2017 junior high and high school Programs of Studies are now available (click on the photos above to view each booklet). Parents will notice several additions that reflect the district’s levy commitment to continue modernizing the curricular offerings available to all students.

This includes three new AP courses, a new series of programming courses, and the completion of the popular engineering and biomedical career pathways. Here is a quick look at the changes:
AP Human Geography
Lakota strives to accelerate its range of AP offerings, especially to appeal to a broader spectrum of students. This new course is centered on project-based learning and explores distribution, processes and effects of the human population on our planet. Student survey results suggest it will be a popular option.

New Information Technology Pathway
A new “Information Technology” pathway, to be phased in over the next few years, will build on the current “Introduction to Computer Science” course to include Programming, Computer Applications and Game Design. “AP Computer Science Principles” is also new this year. These changes support a move to increased career exploration.

Biomedical and Engineering Pathway Completion
“Biomedical Interventions” will complete the biomedical pathway, while the addition of “Digital Electronics” will complete the engineering pathway. Four-year pathways such as these support Lakota’s goal of college- and career-readiness, rather than offering just a-la-carte electives.

Introduction to Creative Writing
The new “Introduction to Creative Writing” expands on different forms of creative expression with a modern flare. It explores the art of blogging for example, and uses a digital format to introduce online and multimedia writing. The new course will be offered to students as early as ninth grade, helping meet the demand for more elective options at that grade level.

Family & Consumer Sciences
Butler Tech offers Lakota students a range of Family & Consumer Science electives, all very popular at all grade levels. Lakota has worked with Butler Tech to select more modern courses for the 2016-2017 Program of Studies, including Culinary Fundamentals (formerly Foods I), Human Growth & Development (formerly Child Development), Career & College Readiness (formerly Career Pathways), and Introduction to Family & Consumer Sciences (new course).